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State Parks to Photograph in the USA

2,300 state parks in 50 states, each with computed light, night-sky and weather data for planning. Pick a state, or start with the most documented locations below.

Top state parks

CahokiaState Park
CahokiaMadison County, IL
Hearst CastleState Park
Hearst CastleSan Luis Obispo County, CA
Chugach State ParkState Park
Chugach State ParkAnchorage Municipality, AK
Dead Horse Point State ParkState Park
Dead Horse Point State ParkGrand County, UT
Adirondack ParkState Park
Adirondack ParkHamilton County, NY
Anza-Borrego Desert State ParkState Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State ParkSan Diego County, CA
Valley of Fire State ParkState Park
Valley of Fire State ParkClark County, NV
Dinosaur Valley State ParkState Park
Dinosaur Valley State ParkSomervell County, TX
Fort Abraham LincolnState Park
Fort Abraham LincolnBurleigh County, ND
Centennial Olympic ParkState Park
Centennial Olympic ParkFulton County, GA
Boyce Thompson ArboretumState Park
Boyce Thompson ArboretumPinal County, AZ
Goosenecks State ParkState Park
Goosenecks State ParkSan Juan County, UT
Goblin Valley State ParkState Park
Goblin Valley State ParkWayne County, UT
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic ParkState Park
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic ParkWhite Pine County, NV
Crater of Diamonds State ParkState Park
Crater of Diamonds State ParkPike County, AR
Custer State ParkState Park
Custer State ParkCuster County, SD
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State ParkState Park
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State ParkKane County, UT
Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms ParkState Park
Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms ParkNew York County, NY
Kodachrome Basin State ParkState Park
Kodachrome Basin State ParkKane County, UT
Prairie Creek Redwoods State ParkState Park
Prairie Creek Redwoods State ParkHumboldt County, CA
Liberty State ParkState Park
Liberty State ParkHudson County, NJ
Makoshika State ParkState Park
Makoshika State ParkDawson County, MT
Olana State Historic SiteState Park
Olana State Historic SiteColumbia County, NY
Akaka Falls State ParkState Park
Akaka Falls State ParkHawaii County, HI

By state

Map

How to photograph state parks

State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.

  • Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
  • Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
  • Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
  • Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
  • Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.

Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.